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INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO NEW YEAR’S DAY INVASION THAT LEFT ONE DEAD

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO NEW YEAR’S DAY INVASION THAT LEFT ONE DEAD

2014-01-07 07:24

Investigators with the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office are still collecting evidence and conducting interviews into the altercation that led to the death of a 25-year-old Las Cruces man after he allegedly invaded a home with three other men just after 2 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

According to investigators, there could be additional witnesses or information that could be critical to the case.

On Jan. 1, 2014, a 911 call to the Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority at 2:14 a.m. alerted deputies to a fight that started after four men forced their way into a home in the 600 block of King James Road north of Las Cruces in Doña Ana County.

Deputies arrived about six minutes later, where they found Sal Garces in the street about two houses down from where the fight allegedly started. Garces reportedly suffered blunt force trauma to the head and had been stabbed several times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was sent for autopsy to the University of New Mexico Office of the Medical Examiner.

According to witnesses, Garces came to the house with his brother, Raymond Garces, 19, and two other men, Nathan Avalos, 19 and Leonard Calvillo, 22. The four reportedly forced their way into the home with the intention of settling an argument that happened earlier on New Year’s Eve.

Avalos was severely injured in the altercation and was transported to an El Paso-area hospital.

The other two men, Raymond Garces and Leonard Calvillo, were located and arrested.

According to investigators, Calvillo was on probation at the time. As a result, his probation has been revoked and he is being held without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center.

Raymond Garces, who was on an ankle monitor at the time of his arrest, is charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated battery, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and criminal damage to property. He is being held at the Doña Ana County Detention Center on a $10,000 secured bond.

Investigators would still like to speak with anyone who might have information related to this case. Anyone with additional information can call the investigator directly at the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, (575) 525-8806.

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Reporters seeking more information or interviews may call Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department Public Information Communication Specialist Kelly Jameson at (575) 386-4302 or after hours at (575) 635-7168.